Tempted Heir
Page 18
She gets up, and taking the boxes, she darts into the bathroom. I stand by the door and wait, and then it suddenly hits again.
Dash could be pregnant.
Lifting my hand to my hair, I grab a fistful. I hear the toilet flush, and then the door opens. “And?” I ask, impatient to know.
Dash lets out a chuckle. “This one’s yours.” She hands me a test. “It should show in a couple of minutes.”
We both stand with a test in our hands, my eyes glued to the screen. “What will it –” My sentence cuts off as the words pregnant show on the screen. “Dash,” I whisper as my breaths begin to speed up. “Dash!” I grab hold of her shoulder and yank her closer. “You’re pregnant.”
When she still says nothing, I glance at her, and seeing the tears, I drop the test and wrap my arms around her.
I can feel the relief coming off her in waves as she cries against my chest.
“You’re carrying our child,” I whisper in awe.
Nodding, she sputters, “We’re going to have a baby.”
Framing her face with my hands, I force her head up, and then I press a hard kiss to her lips. When our eyes lock, I let out a silent burst of laughter.
This moment. Right now. God, I’ve never been happier, and it’s all because of Dash.
Her bottom lip quivers as she whispers, “Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”
“Still one to go,” I chuckle.
DASH
I turn to the full-length mirror, and then I struggle to keep the tears back, so I don’t ruin my makeup.
I’m wearing an off-the-shoulder lace trumpet gown with full-length, illusion sleeves. I’ve never felt more like a woman than I do at this moment.
And I’m about to marry the man of my dreams.
Mom and Miss Sebastian help me put on the veil without messing up my hair that I had curled with blue flowers pinned into the strands.
When I’m ready, Aunt Della lets out a sputter, and she quickly covers her mouth. “You look gorgeous, Dash.”
My chin begins to quiver, and I struggle to rein in the tears. “Don’t make me cry.”
Mom takes hold of my hand, and when I look at her, it’s next to impossible to keep from crying.
“Just enjoy today. Okay?”
I nod quickly as I take deep breaths.
When there’s a knock at the door, my stomach begins to spin with nerves. Dad peeks inside, and then a look of awe washes over his face as he steps into the room. “Wow.” He covers his mouth with his hand as he stares at me. “Just… wow.”
I let out a chuckle. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“Is it time?” Aunt Della asks.
“Yeah, you better go take your seats.”
Danny winks at me. “See you at the alter.”
When it’s just Dad and me, he takes hold of my hand. “God, I can’t believe I have to give you away.”
“You’re not,” I whisper. “I’ll always need my dad.”
Dad presses his lips together, and closing his eyes, he takes a moment to compose himself. When he opens his eyes again, my sight blurs, and I breathe faster.
“Are you ready?” he asks, his voice hoarse.
I can only nod as I take my father’s arm, and we leave the suite.
When I hear the piano play the opening chords to Pachelbel Canon in D, my throat strains, and I’m unable to keep the tears from falling.
God, there goes the makeup.
We reach the beginning of the aisle, and I take in all the families from CRC Holdings and Indie Ink who are here to celebrate our special day with us, then my eyes lock on Christopher’s. I watch as his lips part. He takes a step back as emotion tightens his features.
I can’t look at any of the guests as I walk toward him. My Mr. Right.
Christopher wipes a tear away, and he takes a deep breath as I reach him. Turning to Dad, he lifts my veil. He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Be happy, sweetheart.”
I nod and wait as Christopher and Dad hug. “Take care of my baby girl.”
“I will… Dad.” Christopher’s words make a broad smile spread over Dad’s face.
Christopher’s gaze returns to me, and he shakes his head. “God, you look breathtaking.”
I smile through the tears, not able to find my voice. I have no idea how I’m going to get through my vows without becoming a blubbering mess.
Slipping my arm through Christopher’s, we turn forward and face Miss Sebastian, whom we asked to officiate the wedding.
“On behalf of the Hayes and the West family, I’d like to welcome everyone here today. My name’s Mamma G. Five minutes on the internet, and my bedazzled aaa…butt is good to go.”
I let out a chuckle and tighten my hold on Christopher’s arm.
“I was there when Dash was born, and Christopher was running around in diapers. Look at our babies now.” Miss Sebastian leans forward, then whispers, “Face each other. I know my face is gorgeous, but you’re marrying each other.”
Christopher begins to laugh as he turns to me, taking hold of my hands.
“Dearly beloved,” Miss Sebastian’s voice booms over the microphone.
Laughter explodes from me, and it has it echoing through the guests.
She clears her throat. “We are gathered here today to join our Christopher and our Dash in marriage. They also promised an open bar afterward.”
My tears are gone, and my cheeks start to hurt from all the smiling.
“Finally, and I do mean finally, Christopher and Dash realized what we knew all along. They are meant for each other. They had us all worried for a couple of years. But then, miracles do happen, and look at them now, ready to say their vows. Thank the mother of love.” Miss Sebastian squints at the paper in her hand. “Okay, it’s time for vows.”
My eyes lock with Christopher’s, and where I thought I’d be a sobbing mess, my voice is clear as I repeat after Miss Sebastian.
When our vows are said, Danny hands us our rings.
Christopher pushes the band onto my finger, saying, “I give you this ring as a reminder that we will always face this world together. We’re an unbreakable team. You’re my best friend, the love of my life, and my future. You’re mine, unconditionally, irrevocably, all-consumingly.”
I push the wedding band onto his finger as I say, “I give you this ring to wear as a reminder of my eternal faith and unwavering dedication. I will cherish you today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.”
“Oh God,” Miss Sebastian sobs. “You can kiss now.”
CHRISTOPHER
Dash and I listened to hundreds of songs before we finally found one we both liked.
As Who we are by Tristan Prettyman begins to play, we open the dance floor. Holding my wife in my arms, my chest is bursting with pride.
“Thank you for marrying me,” I murmur.
Dash smiles up at me. “Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”
“Always.”
We stare at each other as I move her across the floor. “Mrs. Hayes.”
“Yes, Mr. Hayes?” she chuckles.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
She nods, her smile widening. “I don’t mind hearing it again.”
“You take my breath away, Dash,” I whisper as I lean down, pressing a kiss to her lips.
Our parents join us on the dance floor, and after a while, Uncle Jax takes Dash from me while I turn to my mother.
Dad grabs Aunt Leigh before she can flee the dance floor, and it draws a chuckle from me.
Wrapping my arms around Mom, I smile down at her. “Thank you.”
“You deserve this and so much more.”
I shake my head. “Thank you for being the most amazing mother.”
Tears begin to shimmer in her eyes. “I love you, baby.”
When the song ends, and our family and friends begin to fill the floor for the next dance, I take hold of Dash’s hand and pull her after me as we walk to where the podium is.
I help her take the step, and then I tap on the microphone. “We have one last announcement to make, and then you can all enjoy the night.” When we have everyone’s attention on us, I turn to Dash. “Ready?” She nods, and then we both say, “We’re having a baby.”
Our family and friends begin to clap and cheer, and turning to Dash, I frame her face, and then I kiss her. Pulling back, I look deep into her eyes. “My soul mate. Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?”
“I do,” she chuckles. “Because you mean the same to me.”
The End.
Want to read where it all started?
Go 1 Click HEARTLESS.
And when you’re done with the Enemies To Lovers Series, follow it up with Trinity Academy.
All the sale links are listed in the back matter of the book.
The Heirs
Reading order of future releases:
Coldhearted Heir
Novel #1
Hunter Chargill (Mason and Kingsley’s son)
&
Jade Daniels (Rhett & Evie’s daughter)
Arrogant Heir
Novel #2
Jase Reyes – (Julian & Jamie’s son)
&
Mila West – (Logan & Mia’s Daughter)
Defiant Heir
Novel #3
Kao Reed (Marcus and Willow’s son)
&
Fallon Reyes (Falcon & Layla’s daughter)
Loyal Heir
Novel #4
Forest Reyes (Falcon & Layla’s son)
&
Aria Chargill (Mason & Kingsley’s daughter)
Callous Heir
Novel #5
Noah West (Jaxson & Leigh’s son)
&
Carla Reyes (Julian & Jamie’s daughter)
Sinful Heir
Novel #6
Tristan Hayes (Carter & Della’s son)
&
Hana Cutler (Lake & Lee’s daughter)
Tempted Heir
Novel #7
Christopher Hayes (Carter & Della’s son)
&
Dash West (Jaxson & Leigh’s daughter)
Forbidden Heir
Novel #8
Ryker West (Logan & Mia’s son)
&
Danny Hayes (Carter & Della’s daughter)
Stand Alone High School Romance
Black Mountain Academy Series
Not My Hero
Colton Lawson
(Brady from Coldhearted Heir’s Brother.)
&
Brie Weinstock
(daughter of Serena from Trinity Academy)
Trinity Academy
FALCON
Novel #1
Falcon Reyes & Layla Shepard
MASON
Novel #2
Mason Chargill & Kingsley Hunt
LAKE
Novel #3
Lake Cutler & Lee-ann Park
JULIAN
Novel #4
A Stand Alone Novel
Julian Reyes (Falcon’s Brother)
&
Jamie Truman (Della’s Sister – Heartless, TETLS)
THE EPILOGUE
A Trinity Academy Novella
Enemies To Lovers
Heartless
Novel #1
Carter Hayes & Della Truman
Reckless
Novel #2
Logan West & Mia Daniels
Careless
Novel #3
Jaxson West & Leigh Baxter
Ruthless
Novel #4
Marcus Reed & Willow Brooks
Shameless
Novel #5
Rhett Daniels & Evie Cole
False Perceptions
Novel #6
A Stand Alone Novel
Hayden Cole (Evie’s Dad)
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About the author
Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.
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Acknowledgments
God, an eight-book series, what was I thinking. Thank you for all the encouragement. Only one book left to go! It’s heartbreaking to say goodbye to the CRC and Indie Ink family, but here we go…
To my alpha and beta readers, Taylor, Donita, Sherrie, Sheena, Allyson. Kelly, Elaine, Sarah, and Leeann – Thank you for being the godparents of my paper-baby.
Candi Kane PR - Thank you for being patient with me and my bad habit of missing deadlines.
Sybil – Thank you for giving my paper-babies the perfect look.
My street team, thank you for promoting every single book.
To my readers, thank you for loving these characters as much as I do.
A special thank you to every blogger and reader who took the time to take part in the cover reveal and release day.
Love ya all tons ;)